IVV vs STEW
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF vs SRH Total Return Fund
Which is better, IVV or STEW?
IVV has been ahead.
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | IVV | STEW |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.03%Best | 2.28% |
| AUM | $886.7B | $2.3B |
| Dividend Yield | 1.10% | 3.20% |
| Holdings | 508 | 24 |
| YTD Return | +12.70%Best | +2.61% |
| 1Y Return | +19.36%Best | +3.57% |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +21.16%Best | +15.07% |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +12.75%Best | +10.04% |
| Volatility (annualized) | 15.1%Best | 18.3% |
| Max Drawdown | -56.5%Best | -78.2% |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $18,221Best | $16,134 |
| Fund Family | iShares by BlackRock (US) | Paralel Advisors LLC |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Large Cap Blend | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 15, 2000 | Jan 31, 2002 |
Not shown on this pair: Top 10 Weight.
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 19, 2000 to Sep 8, 2026 (26.3 years).
IVV vs STEW growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 26.3 years both funds cover.
IVV vs STEW Performance
iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (IVV) is an ETF from iShares by BlackRock (US) and SRH Total Return Fund (STEW) is an ETF from Paralel Advisors LLC. Over the past year IVV returned +19.36% while STEW returned +3.57%. Year to date, IVV is up 12.70% versus a gain of 2.61% for STEW.
Over three years, IVV compounded at +21.16% per year against +15.07% for STEW; over five years the annualized figures are +12.75% and +10.04% respectively. Across the full 26-year window we track, IVV has the edge at +6.98% annualized vs +4.06%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
STEW has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 18.3% compared with 15.1% for IVV. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -56.5% for IVV and -78.2% for STEW. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.68. They move together some of the time, and apart the rest.
Fees and Cost Over Time
IVV charges 0.03% per year while STEW charges 2.28%. On a $10,000 position that is $3 vs $228 annually, a gap of $225 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, IVV currently yields 1.10% against 3.20% for STEW.
Holdings Overlap
At least 11.0% of IVV's money is in holdings STEW also owns.
Only one direction is shown: for STEW, our book for it lists positions totalling 111.3% of the fund, which is what a leveraged book looks like and is not a denominator we can divide by.
IVV and STEW share little of their money.
The two holdings books were reported 66 days apart, IVV as of Aug 5, 2026 and STEW as of May 31, 2026, so some of the difference between them is the time between the two reports rather than the funds.
12 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 23 in STEW, against full books of 508 and 24.
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in IVV | Weight in STEW | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| JPMJpmorgan Chase & Co. | 1.45% | 14.28% | 12.83% |
| MSFTMicrosoft Corp 4.100 Feb 06 37 | 5.44% | 2.30% | 3.14% |
| BRK.BBerkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B | 1.43% | 5.53% | 4.10% |
| CSCOCisco Systems Inc | 0.72% | 5.59% | 4.87% |
| CATCaterpillar, Inc. | 0.60% | 4.07% | 3.47% |
| EBAYEbay Inc | 0.07% | 3.30% | 3.23% |
| SCHWCharles Schwab Corp. | 0.27% | 3.04% | 2.77% |
| TRVTravelers Cos., Inc. | 0.12% | 2.98% | 2.86% |
| YUMYum! Brands, Inc. | 0.06% | 2.92% | 2.86% |
| SWKStanley Black & Decker Inc. | 0.02% | 1.95% | 1.93% |
You are not choosing between two funds in isolation.
Whichever of IVV and STEW you pick has to sit alongside everything else you own. Add the rest and see what the combination actually holds.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, IVV or STEW?
IVV has an expense ratio of 0.03% while STEW charges 2.28%. IVV is the cheaper option, by $225 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, IVV or STEW?
Over the past year IVV returned +19.36% vs +3.57% for STEW, so IVV leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (26 years), IVV annualized +6.98% vs +4.06% for STEW. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, IVV or STEW?
STEW has been the more volatile fund at 18.3% annualized versus 15.1% for IVV. Worst drawdown: IVV -56.5% vs STEW -78.2%.
Should I hold both IVV and STEW?
IVV and STEW have a monthly-return correlation of 0.68, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between IVV and STEW?
At least 11.0% of IVV's money is in holdings STEW also owns. Our book for STEW is partial, so the real figure is this or higher. They hold 12 positions in common, counted across the 504 positions we hold weights for in IVV and 23 in STEW.
Which pays a higher dividend, IVV or STEW?
IVV yields 1.10% while STEW yields 3.20%, so STEW currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is STEW better than IVV?
IVV has a lower expense ratio. IVV led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.